Sweet Lobs

In this episode, we interview Mariana "I saw an opportunity and took it" Paredes whose 5.0 US OPEN Gold Medal Match ending has gone viral because of a ... Nasty Nelson for the win!

That's right, it's being billed as "The Shot Heard 'Round the World" as local to Indy player, Mariana Paredes and her partner took home the gold in the Women's Doubles, 30-39 age 5.0 match at the US OPEN in Naples Florida, last week.

The video, shot by Team Hanlon Pickleball, has gone viral!  You can watch the entire match here, or just jump to the 43:30 Mark for the Nasty part! :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-jG3nTdIbE

And if you DO skip to the 43:30 mark, check out the 1-minute mark as well to see what kind of player Mariana is - she gives her all!

Discounts & Deals for Our Listeners

Friday Pickle – Grab top-tier paddles at unbeatable prices!

https://fridaypickle.com/discount/KEVIN27782

Revolin Sports – Eco-friendly paddles made with sustainable materials.

Use code KEVIN at checkout: http://revolinsports.com

Basky Pickleball – Help support this young man (Basky) launching his own paddle brand – they are solid paddles!

Use code KEVIN10 for 10% off at: https://baskyspickleball.com/kevinhuff

Five Point 0 – Premium hydration gear for competitive players.

Use code SweetLobs for 10% off: https://fivepoint0.com

Jojo + Lo – Beautiful, hand-crafted pickleball accessories made by two amazing sisters!

Use code SWEETLOBS for 10% off at: https://jojoandlo.com

Growing the Game: Real Talk from the Local Frontlines

Sweet Lobs – Season 2, Episode 2

In this episode, Kevin and Skye dig into some of the real-world challenges facing pickleball advocates trying to grow the sport in their hometowns. From limited interest to limited resources, we share stories sent in by local leaders and players working hard to expand the game they love. If you’ve ever tried to start a league, build a club, or just get more players on the court—this one’s for you.

Discounts & Deals for Our Listeners

Friday Pickle – Grab top-tier paddles at unbeatable prices!

https://fridaypickle.com/discount/KEVIN27782

Revolin Sports – Eco-friendly paddles made with sustainable materials.

Use code KEVIN at checkout: http://revolinsports.com

Basky Pickleball – Help support this young man (Basky) launching his own paddle brand – they are solid paddles!

Use code KEVIN10 for 10% off at: https://baskyspickleball.com/kevinhuff

Five Point 0 – Premium hydration gear for competitive players.

Use code SweetLobs for 10% off: https://fivepoint0.com

Jojo + Lo – Beautiful, hand-crafted pickleball accessories made by two amazing sisters!

Use code SWEETLOBS for 10% off at: https://jojoandlo.com

Tracking Your Game with Skiva

In this episode, Kevin and Skye sit down with Jeff, the creator of Skiva – a game-changing app for pickleball players looking to elevate their play. From tracking personal stats to setting weekly challenges with friends, Skiva is all about keeping the competitive spirit alive both on and off the court. Jeff shares the story behind the app, how it’s helping players stay accountable and motivated, and what’s next for Skiva as it continues to grow in the pickleball community. Tune in to hear Jeff’s journey, some standout app features, and how you can get started tracking your game today.

Discounts & Deals for Our Listeners

•Friday Pickle – Grab top-tier paddles at unbeatable prices!

https://fridaypickle.com/discount/KEVIN27782

•Revolin Sports – Eco-friendly paddles made with sustainable materials.

Use code KEVIN at checkout: http://revolinsports.com

•Basky Pickleball – Support this young entrepreneur and his paddle brand – they’re solid paddles!

Use code KEVIN10 for 10% off at: https://baskyspickleball.com/kevinhuff

•Five Point 0 – Premium hydration solutions scientifically crafted for competitive players.

Use code SweetLobs for 10% off: https://fivepoint0.com.

•JoJo and Lo – Premium pickleball clothing!  Skye loves their line and owns several JoJo and Lo shirts!

Use code SweetLobs for 15% off: https://jojoandlo.com

Join Kevin and Skye as they take a stroll down memory lane, revisiting the best moments, funniest quips, and most insightful clips from the first 40 episodes of Sweet Lobs. From eye-rolling, sigh-inducing pickleball shots to the behind-the-scenes chaos of podcast production, this episode is packed with highlights and laughter. Whether you’re a longtime listener or just tuning in, this is your chance to catch up on the stories, the surprises, and the sweet lobs that made the first year unforgettable.

And don’t forget to grab some gear with these exclusive Sweet Lobs listener discounts:

Friday Pickle – Top-tier paddles at unbeatable prices. Shop Now

Revolin Sports – Eco-friendly paddles made sustainably. Use code KEVIN at checkout: revolinsports.com

Basky Pickleball – Support Basky and save 10% with code KEVIN10: baskyspickleball.com/kevinhuff

Five Point 0 – Premium gear for competitive players. Use SweetLobs for 10% off: fivepoint0.com

Listen now and relive the highlights – it’s been one amazing year!

Hi.  Kevin here.  2 minute podcast this week.  Why?  My bad.

Here we go!

Exclusive discount codes available to Sweet Lobs podcast listeners: 

Friday Pickle: Access top-tier paddles at unbeatable prices through this special link.

Revolin Sports: Enjoy eco-friendly paddles made with sustainable materials. Use code KEVIN at checkout: revolinsports.com.

Basky Pickleball: Support a young entrepreneur launching his own paddle brand. Use code KEVIN10 for 10% off at: baskyspickleball.com/kevinhuff.

Five Point 0: Get premium pickleball gear built for competitive players. Use code SweetLobs for 10% off: fivepoint0.com.

 We’ve hit the big 4-0! In this 40th episode of Sweet Lobs, we slow down just a bit—not to take our foot off the gas, but to reflect and refine. As we wrap up our first year, we revisit some of the key conversations that have shaped our journey: what’s in your bag, tournament prep strategies, the evolution of coaching in the sport, and what makes a player truly ready to compete.

But this isn’t just a recap. We zoom in on how those early insights still apply—and where we’ve grown since. With some fresh takes and honest reflection, we’re laying the foundation for a killer Year-In-Review in next week’s Episode 41.

Whether you’ve been with us since the beginning or just jumped in, this is the episode to hear how it all connects. Come celebrate a full year of pickleball, learning, and plenty of laughs.

Sweet Lobs Listener Discounts – Because We Got You:

Friday Pickle – Grab top-tier paddles at unbeatable prices!  https://fridaypickle.com/discount/KEVIN27782

Revolin Sports – Eco-friendly paddles made with sustainable materials.  Use code KEVIN at checkout: http://revolinsports.com

Basky Pickleball - Help support this young man (Basky) launching his own paddle brand - they are solid paddles! Use code KEVIN10 for 10% off at:  https://baskyspickleball.com/kevinhuff

Five Point 0 – Premium pickleball gear built for competitive players.  Use code SweetLobs for 10% off: https://fivepoint0.com

Next week: our Year-In-Review episode! You won’t want to miss it.

In this episode, we dive into the unexpected but exciting collision of two worlds—Artificial Intelligence and Pickleball. What happens when data science meets dinks and drops? From smart paddle tech to training apps and match analysis, AI is quietly (and not-so-quietly) transforming the game we love.

We talk about:

How AI is already shaping coaching and strategy

Potential tools that might give players an edge (or raise ethical questions)

How AI could improve gameplay

Whether you’re a gearhead or just curious, this episode is a fun, thought-provoking look at what the future of Pickleball could hold—and what should be left to the human touch.

Discounts & Deals for Our Listeners

Friday Pickle – Grab top-tier paddles at unbeatable prices!

https://fridaypickle.com/discount/KEVIN27782

Revolin Sports – Eco-friendly paddles made with sustainable materials.

Use code KEVIN at checkout: http://revolinsports.com

Five Point 0 – Premium pickleball gear built for competitive players.

Use code SweetLobs for 10% off: https://fivepoint0.com

In this special episode of Sweet Lobs, Kevin sits down with Riley Watkins, co-founder of Pickleball Club Magazine, for a raw, unscripted conversation between two people meeting for the first time and instantly connecting over their love for the game. You’ll hear about Riley’s vision for the magazine, Kevin’s latest projects, and how both are working to grow the sport from the grassroots up.

This episode captures what makes pickleball great—community, creativity, and conversations that matter. Whether you’re a player, promoter, or fan of the game, you’ll enjoy this behind-the-scenes look at two builders coming together to elevate the sport.

️ Exclusive Discounts for Our Listeners – Support the Game and Save:

Baskys Pickleball – A young entrepreneur chasing the pickleball dream!

Shop here for 10% off or use code KEVIN10 at checkout.

Friday Pickle – Awesome paddles at unbeatable prices.

Grab yours here

Revolin Sports – Eco-friendly paddles made with natural materials.

Visit Revolin Sports and use code KEVIN for a discount.

Five Point 0 Pickleball – Style meets performance with fresh apparel for the court.

Use code LOBS for 10% off at Five Point 0

️Episode 38 – After the Furry Fracas: What Now?

The Furry Fracas Tournament is in the books! So… what happens after a tournament? Kevin and Skye unpack the post-tourney vibes, share their own reflections, and—true to form—have some laughs along the way. Whether you’re riding the high of a win or nursing some sore muscles and missed shots, this one’s for you.

Plus, they leave you with a question that could reshape your ENTIRE WORLD (OK, not really):

“What gets you to…”

(You’ll have to listen to hear the rest!)

And don’t forget, Sweet Lobs listeners get exclusive deals:

️Friday Pickle – Get high-quality paddles at great prices!

fridaypickle.com/discount/KEVIN27782

Revolin Sports – Eco-friendly paddles that feel as good as they play.

revolinsports.com – Use code KEVIN for a discount!

Five Point Zero: Innovative hydration for the modern player.

fivepointzero.com – Use code LOBS at checkout for your exclusive discount.

Ever wondered what it takes to run a pickleball tournament? In Episode 36 of Sweet Lobs, Kevin gives us an insider’s look at the role of a Tournament Director—the unsung hero or the unprepared fool behind the scenes. From managing logistics to keeping players happy (and on schedule!), Kevin shares the challenges, surprises, and rewarding moments that come with the job.

What’s Inside This Episode?

✅ The biggest headaches of running a tournament

✅ The recognition you'll have last-minute player changes & court conflicts

✅ Behind-the-scenes decisions that impact the player experience ️

✅ What makes a great Tournament Director (and what doesn’t)

✅ Pro tips for players to make the director’s life easier

If you’ve ever played in a tournament, thought about hosting one, or just want to hear some wild behind-the-scenes stories, this episode is a must-listen!

Exclusive Sweet Lobs Discounts!

Get premium paddles at great prices: Friday Pickle

Love sustainability? Check out Revolin Sports – Use code “Kevin” for a discount!

Let us know your craziest tournament experience in the comments! #SweetLobsPodcast #PickleballLife